How to Clean Jute Rugs (And What Water Can Do to Them)

Jute is forgiving in a lot of ways, but water isn't one of them. If you take away one thing from this guide, make it that. Everything else is detail on how to keep a jute rug looking good day to day, and what to do the one time it gets properly wet.

Routine cleaning

Vacuum without a beater bar. The spinning brush that works fine on wool or synthetic pile will fray jute fibres over time, so switch to a suction-only setting or a hard-floor attachment. Vacuum in the direction of the weave rather than against it. Once or twice a week is enough for most rooms: more often if it's a high-traffic living room, less if it's a bedroom that only sees light use.

Spills: blot, never rub

If something spills, grab a soft, light-coloured towel and blot straight down, working from the outside of the spill inward. Rubbing pushes the liquid deeper into the fibre and spreads the stain wider than it started. Speed matters more than technique here. The faster you blot, the less jute has a chance to absorb.

Deep cleaning, the dry way

For a more thorough clean, sprinkle a dry carpet cleaner, baking soda or cornstarch over the rug, work it in gently with a soft brush, and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it out. This lifts embedded dirt and odour without adding any moisture, which is the whole point, given what comes next.

What not to do

Never steam clean a jute rug. Never wet-shampoo it. Never hose it down or leave it out in the rain to "air out." Jute absorbs water readily, and any of these will push water deep into fibres that don't dry quickly or evenly.

Can jute rugs get wet?

Yes, jute rugs can get wet, but they're not built to handle it. Water saturation causes a few specific problems:

• Warping and shrinking. The rug can pull out of shape, and it doesn't always spring back once it dries.
• Colour bleed. If the rug is dyed, wet fibres can bleed dye onto the floor underneath or nearby furniture.
• Browning. Jute releases natural oils when wet, which oxidise and leave a brownish discolouration, even after the rug looks dry again.
• Mould and mildew. Because jute holds onto moisture, a rug that stays damp for more than a few hours is at real risk of mould, especially in humid weather.

If your rug does get wet

Blot up as much moisture as you can immediately, then get it fully air-dried, ideally within eight hours. A fan or open window speeds this up considerably. Keep jute rugs out of bathrooms, basements, or anywhere else that stays damp. Even ambient humidity, over time, is harder on jute than it is on wool or synthetic fibres.

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean a jute rug?

Dry methods only. Vacuum with suction only, beater bar off, once or twice a week. Blot spills straight away. For a deeper clean, work dry carpet cleaner, baking soda or cornstarch into the rug with a soft brush, leave it for a few hours, then vacuum it out.

Can jute rugs get wet?

They can, but jute absorbs water and doesn't cope well with it. A soaked rug can warp, bleed dye, turn brown and grow mould. If it happens, blot it and get it fully dry, ideally within eight hours.

Can you steam clean a jute rug?

No. Steam and wet shampooing push water deep into the fibre, where it dries slowly and unevenly. Stick to vacuuming, blotting and dry cleaning powders.

How do you remove a stain from a jute rug?

Act quickly. Blot straight down with a soft, light-coloured towel, working from the outside of the spill inward, and don't rub. Rubbing spreads the stain and drives it deeper into the fibre. For a mark that remains once the rug is dry, use the dry-powder method above rather than water.

How do you dry a wet jute rug?

Blot out as much moisture as you can, then move air over both sides with a fan or an open window until the rug is completely dry. Keep it out of bathrooms and basements, where it can stay damp. A rug that stays wet for more than a few hours is at real risk of mould.

For the full picture on the fibre, where it comes from, how it wears and where it belongs in a home, read our complete guide to jute rugs. If durability in a busy room matters as much as the cleaning routine, see our guide to jute rugs in high-traffic areas. To see the jute pieces themselves, browse our jute rugs collection.